A few more pics

Final Farewell...

Tribute to my Father

My father, Lloyd G. Frey, 87, passed from mortality April 10, 2010 at 11:40 a.m.  I had spent most of my time the past 14 months caring for him.  It was the last great gift he gave to me in this life.  Difficult, yes, but what I gained far surpassed the sacrifice.  His last five weeks he was in a care center.  They were kind and did a beautiful job of keeping him clean and happy.  I stayed with him the last night of his mortal life.  He couldn't speak nor open his eyes but he was aware.  He wanted me close by so I moved a lounge chair next to his bed and held his hand most of the night.  I felt and watched life ebb slowly from his body. The nurse thought all the signs indicated he would be gone by 8:00 that morning but true to his usual tenacity he held on until 11:40.  All four of his children were there.  About 5-10 minutes before he went I felt some kind of shift in the air.  I went over and sat down by him and whispered in his ear, "Daddy, it's time to go.  Others are waiting for you.  They want you to come.  Thank you for all you have done for us.  We love you.  It's ok to go."  His breathing shifted to soft and gentle breaths.  He took a few and then a few more and then one last one and that was it.  Very peaceful. His body relaxed.  Everything grew still.  A beautiful silence filled the room.   We were now orphans.  I will always hold dear the memory of being with my three siblings in unity of heart during the last few hours before and after my Dad's death.  As we looked upon my Dad, my only brother George picked up my Dad's razor and with tears on his own checks gently shaved the scruff my Dad had acquired the past few days.  My Dad always liked to be clean shaven and performed this task religiously every morning until that last week.  It was one of the most beautiful moments I have witnessed between my brother and my father. 

We held the funeral the next Friday in Denver, Colorado, my parents long-time home.  It was a small funeral but a handful of dear, life-long friends along with a large posterity and some extended family were present.  He received a military burial in Ft. Logan Cemetery in honor of his service in WWII.  I think he was pleased.  He and my mother are now together both in spirit and in body. 

So long Daddy, I love you.  Thank you for your example of love, service, honesty, gentleness and devotion.

Natalie's latest email...

...for those of you who may be wondering how she is doing.

Sister Moraes and Sister Hall

P-day (obviously those missionaries look a little different the rest of the week!)

"So, I am e-mailing in the middle of being transfered! I am heading to Campo Morão and I will be companions with Sister Oliveira, the sister that I was with for one day when I arrived in Brazil before I headed out to Arapongas. Sister Moraes also is being transfered to the same zone, so the other two sisters we left in Arapongas will take on our area too. They are a little stressed. Ok, they are really stressed.. I think..but all will work out! We woke up at 5. A member drove us to Apacurana and we arived in Marangá around 9. I don´t head out to Campo Morão until 5. I get to spend p-day at the bus station. Ya! Ok that was a lie, I am here e-mailing and we will go get lunch and stuff. I will arrive in my new area around 7. It´s kind of strange just picking up and leaving our investigators, hoping that the other missionaries will take care of them. Transfers are crazy, but I enjoy the craziness. Heading out to work not knowing what will happen and getting a call that you are heading out the next morning. While I like the unexpectedness and the adventure of a new area, I don´t really like packing. And then having to unpack. Maybe I will simplify my life and travel like the first missionaries of the church and just wear the same thing everyday....any objections? Good.
I don´t know a ton about my new area, Sister Viera who was with us in Arapongas served there and loved it, so that´s good! There will be four sisters again living there, One other American I think. Anyway, more information next week with this transfer!"

Ok, General Conference. I was blessed to have the opportunity to be able to watch all of it. And in English. There is something about being able to hear the actual voices of the Prophet and Apostles, being able to hear the emotion in their voices, that you just don´t get with translation. We were allowed to watch Saturday if we had investigators and on Sunday. We had investigators at all of them. I am so glad because I really loved Saturday. Elder Holland? Wow. Powerful. During all of conference, and all the talks centered around the family, I just want to say that I love my family. I am grateful for your examples. Well that is all for now. more next week.
Read your scriptures.
I mean...Study your scriptures.

Sister Hall

I must say, once again, it is great having a missionary.